A pair of the greatest offensive players to ever wear a Minnesota Vikings uniform have made the Sporting News’ list of the 40 Most Hated NFL Players of All Time.
Vikings fans love what Adrian Peterson and Randy Moss could do on the field, but those same talents and some of their off-the-field antics helped land both of them on the list.
Let’s start with Peterson, who finds himself rather high on the list. He has won three rushing titles and helped lead the Vikings to the NFC North Division Championship last season While he stayed out of trouble for most of his career in a Vikings uniform, perception of him changed in September of 2014 when he was arrested on child abuse charges for using a switch to punish his son.
So Peterson comes in at No. 10 on the most hated list.
“Peterson faced charges of felony child abuse before he pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor reckless assault, and he was suspended the remainder of the 2014 season as a result. Peterson returned in 2015 and rush for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns, but the suspension is still fresh in mind.”
Moss, without question is the greatest deep threat receiver to ever play the game, but he and his catch phrase “Straight cash homie” come in 18th on the list. Here’s why:
“Moss left the field early, squirted a ref with a water bottle and faux-mooned Packers fans. He knew how to piss people off – fans, teammates, coaches anybody. Still, hell of a player that’s who is pretty good as an analyst on Sundays.”
The rest of the top 10, according to the Sporting News:
- 10. Adrian Peterson
- 9. Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones
- 8. Ben Roethlisberger
- 7. Bill Romanowski
- 6. Ray Lewis
- 5. Tom Brady
- 4. Greg Hardy
- 3. Ndamukong Suh
- 2. Terrell Owens
- 1. Michael Vick
